Third-down disaster helped doom 49ers

Asked how the 49ers could have improved their dreadful 1-for-13 performance on third downs against the Giants, wide receiver Michael Crabtree offered this: “Do a better job on second down.”

Well, he does have a point.

The Niners needed at least four yards for a first down on 12 of their 13 third-down attempts. Average distance needed for a first down: 8.7 yards.

It highlighted, again, a glaring weakness for the 49ers, who ranked 31st in the NFL in third-down conversion percentage in the regular season (29.1) and bottomed out during the postseason (5 of 28, 17.9 percent).

ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer noted during the regular season that the 49ers struggled in obvious passing situations. Without the threat of play-action fakes to Frank Gore to keep defenses honest, the weaknesses in their passing game were exposed.

The NFC Championship Game illustrated the need for a high-end wide receiver. Alex Smith targeted Crabtree and Kyle Williams on nine passes. Net result: one catch for 3 yards.

The Niners will likely make a strong effort to re-sign free-agents-to-be Joshua Morgan and Ted Ginn, whose valuable punt-return skills were highlighted by Williams’ two fumbles.